Collapsible box ob back



A. V. TREGO.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX 08 BACK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18'. I918.

1 ,3 17,837. Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

A. V.'TREGO.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX OR RACK.

APPLICATlON men MAR.18.I9I8.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

4 SHEETS5HEET 2.

A. V. TREGO.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX 0R RACK.

APPUQATIUN FILED MAB-18. I913- 1,317,83 v Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 2 V ABNER V. 'I'BEGO, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

GOLLAPSIBLE BOX OR RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

Application filed March 18, 1918. Serial N0. 228,876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Aennn V. TREco, citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes or Racks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to collapsible boxes or racks, and has for its object the production of a device of this character susceptible of lateral expansion and contraction, the special object being to produce a box or rack which can be conveniently secured on a running board of a motor car, and when folded, offers no obstruction to the use of the-running board as such, and which may be unfolded to t e width of the running board or to greate width if the full capacity of the box is desired to be utilized.

A further object is to produce a box or rack of the type outlined, which is substantially weather-tight, of simple, strong, durable and inex ensive construction, can. be easily and quickly secured in position, and which when folded, is not conspicuous and hence does not detract from the appearance of the car. Another object is to produce a cover adjustable to accommodate the width of the box or rack to a position back of the box or rack when the latter is not in use.

A still further object is to produce a collapsible box or rack of simple, strong, durableand inexpensive construction.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and combinations, of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which 2-- Fi ire 1 is a broken perspective view of a col apsible box or rack, embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is aside view of the box or rack, partly broken away, as applied to the run ning board of a motor car.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the construction shown by Fig. 2.

Fig. 4- is an enlarged vertical section of the box or rack in folded or collapsed condition.

Fig. 5'is a fragmentary perspective view, viewing the rack from one end and its underside, and also showing a part of the running' board.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view, showing one of the rear corners of'the device.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the box or rack, partly unfolded.

Fig. 8 is a similar view, with the box or rack unfolded to its maximum width.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the dotted line, IXIX, of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the box or rack in its fully expanded condition, and showing the cover in the position it occupies preliminary to being swung down to the clofed ositlon.

Fig. .1 is an enlarged front view of one end of the cover in its extended condition.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the dotted line XII-XII of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional perspective view to show more clearly the operative relation between sections of the cover.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentaryperspective view of the box or rack when expanded to half its maximum width.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the construction shown by Fig. 14, as viewed from a di erent point, and also shows the right hand end wall swung out preparatory to disposal in its ultimate position, the left hand end well being omitted.

In the said drawings, where like reference numerals identify corresponding parts, a pair of angle brackets each consist of a horizontal arm rovided with an upstanding flange, 2, at its inner margin. The vertical arm, 3, is also provided at its inner margin with a forward y projecting flange, 4, which at its lower end overla s and is slightly spaced from the rear en of flange, 2, and extending through said flanges is a rivet, 5, a spacing plate, 6, being mounted on the rivet between said flanges.

7 indicates a air of end channel plates, arranged vertica 1y with their channels facin each other, the front arms of the channe plates overlapping the vertical flanges, 2, 0 said brackets, and extending through said arms,.3, and the overlapping arms of the channel plates are securing bolts, 8, to secure said parts rigidly to ether. The channels are crossed or bridge at their upper ends by arches, 9, for a purpose which eremafter appears, and at t e inner margins of their front-arms, the channel plates are provided with forwardly projecting ribs, 10, which terminate short of the upper and lower ends of the channel plates.

11, indicates a back plate extending'from one of the angle brackets to the other, and fitting at its ends against the rear sides of said angle plates, and secured firmly in position by the bolts, 8, used for securing the channel plates to said brackets, the upper margin of the back plate being reinforced and stiffened by a horizontal an le iron, 12, the upper arm of the same ro ecting forwardly and overlyin the 11 per ends of the flanges, 4, of the ang e brac ets.

14 indicates a bottom plate of the box or rack, the same extending from one of the angle brackets to the other, and bein provided at its ends with upwardly promoting flanges, 15, pivoted at their rear ends on rivets, 5, said flanges, 15, being disposed at the inner sides of the arms, 4, of the angle brackets, and spaced from the flanges, 3, thereof, for the accommodation of the end walls of the box or rack, as herein: fter explained.

16 indicates a plate similar to plate 14, and overlapping the front edge of the latter, and said plate, 16, is provided at its ends with upstanding flanges, 17, overlapping the front ends of the flanges, 15, at their inner sides, and pivoted thereto as at 18, the arrangement being such that plate 16 can be folded rearwardly onto plate 14 when it is desired to fold or collapse the box or rack.

19 indicates a phlte hinged at 20 to the forward edge or margin of plate 16, and adapted to fold rearwar 1 down onto plate 16, or to extend upwaid y therefrom and constitute the front or outer wall of the box or rack when the same is expanded to maximum width or capacity.

21 indicates a pair of end walls, the same being hin ed or pivoted at 22 to the ends of the W9. 1, 19, and said end walls may be folded inwardl to fit flatly against the inner side of ate or wall 19, or may extend rearwardFy therefrom to form the end Walls of the box or rack, it being noted that the end walls, 21, must in length substantially equal the combined width of the bottom plates 14 and 16. At their free or rear ends the end walls, 21, are notched as at 23 to accommodate the ribs, 10, of the channel plates, 7, that is to permit the end wall to be fitted against the bracket arm 4, and the lower rear corners of the end walls are cut away at 24 to match the oblique forward edge of the spaclng. lates, 6, it being understood, that in manipu ating the box or rack to expand it to its fullest width or capacity, the end walls are fitted between the flanges or arms, 2, of the angle brackets, and the companion arms or flanges, 4, and stand in vertical planes 3ust inward of the ribs, 10, the unnotched upper rear corners of the end walls fitting against the outer faces of the arms or flanges, 4, and having perforations, 25, to receive pins or studs, 26, pro'ecting endwisc from said arms or flanges. hen the parts are thus assembled, the pins or studs, 26, prevent endwise movements of the end walls, and to cooperate with the flanges or arms, 3, in preventing outward swinging movements of said end walls, cam-levers, 27, are pivoted to said end walls, and under proper adjustment, are caused to engage or overla the ribs, 10, and thus clamp the end wal s firmly against the flanges or arms, 4.

The construction as thus described, applies more particularly to the device when adjusted to its greatest width or capacity. In the event it is desired to produce a narrow box or rack, additional equipment is required, the same being as follows:

27 indicates a pair of plates (one only appearing) bent back at opposite margins to form spacing ribs, 28. Each of these plates is riveted as at 29 to the normal underside of bottom plate, 16, near one end thereof, and fitting slidingly between plates 27 and bottom plate 16 are slide plates 30, the same having notches, 31, in opposite edges to receive the spacing ribs, 28, so that the unnotched ends of plates 30, shall constitute stops for abutment a ainst the ends of said ribs, to limit the sli ing movement of said plates, 30, and hinged as at 32 to the outer ends of plates 30 are end wall plates, 33, corresponding in length substantially to the width of the bottom plate, 14, and each provided in its rear or free edge with a notch, 34, and with a cut away corner, 35, and a perforation, 36, the plate corresponding, therefore, at its free edge, to the free edges of the end walls. 21. When the box or rack is to be adjusted to half width, the end walls, 21, are folded inward against the inner smile of the outer wall, 19, and then the latter is folded down upon the bottom plate, 16, with the end walls, 21, interposed between them. The plate, 16, is then swun upward on pivots, 18, to a vertical position, so as to constitute the outer wall of the narrowed box or rack. This adjustment disposes the outer walls, 33, at the outer side of the box or rack, as one of them is shown by Fig. 14, it being noted in this connection that a pivoted turn button, 37, carried by plate, 16, is employed to hold end wall 33, inoperatively against plate, 16, and that the perforation, 36, of said end wall, is engaged by a pin or stud, 38, also pro'ectin from plate, 16. To dispose the en wal s, 88, in operative position to constitute theend walls of the narrowed box or rack, the turn buttons, 37, are swung to inoperative osition as shown by the one appearing in Fig. 15. The end Wallis then free to swing forwardly and outwardly, as shown by the last named I names? fi re. Bower is then applied uponit to cam-levers, 27, and performing the same function as the latter.

To provide a cover for the box or rack adjustable to accommodate the same when half ribs, 48, where the late engages the or fully expanded, three plates, 39, 40 and 41, are arranged. in overlapping relation.

The member or late, 39, is provided at its lower ed with a in in 42 enga 'n the channel glates 7, and ht its ends w ith vertical bent-back lportions, 43, to form parallel end grooves, t e upper ends of the bentback portions having extensions 44, constituting stops for a purpose which hereinafter appears. The plate or member. 40,-

is similarly formed to provide the bentback portions, 45, to fit slidably in the grooves of plate or member,-39'; and at the upper ends of the bent-back portions, 45, are formed sto s, 46, of the same character as stops, 44. he plate or member, 40, is also provided at its lower mar in with a flange, 47, to abut against the ower edge of stops, 44, and arrest withdrawal movement of plate or member, 40, from plate or member, 39. The plate or member, 41, fits slidingly in the grooves formed by the bent-back portions, 45, of member, 40, and at its ends is bent back to form stifi'ening oves of member, 40. be late or mem r, 41, is also provided at its ower margin, with a flange, 49, for abutment a inst the lower edge of stops, 46, of mem er, 40, it being noted by reference to Fi 11, that the flange, 49, is narrower than ange 47, and hence is capable of slidin downward past the stops, 44, so that the t ree members or plates may fit flatly together back of the back wall of the body rtion of the box or rack. The member 41,- it will be noted, is provided at its u per margin with a forwardly projecting ange, 50 which, when the cover is collapsed, rests upon the flange, 12, in such position that it can be readily grasped when it is desired to extend the cover as indicated in Fig. 10, preliminaryto folding it down uplon the body portion, it being noted that w en thus arranged, the member, 39, overlaps member 40, and the latter overlaps member 41, so that the cover shall more effectually conduct water to and beyond the outer wall of the box or rack, so as to protect the contents thereof.

" A box or rack constructed as descri When it is desired to use the box or rack in its narrow form, the end walls, 21, are folded inward until they fit flatly against theinnerside of the outer wall, 19. The latter, with said folded end walls, is then folded inward upon the bottom plate 16, and the latter, with the plates folded upon it, is swung upward to vertical position upon the pivots" 18, and therefore exposes to view the end walls 33, which ma then be manipulated in the manner herein efore described, to complete the box or rack in its narrow form. When thus employed, the extensible cover is raised as shown b Fig. 10. It is then swung downward on inge pin 42 and telescoped until the plates are nested together so as to correspond in width to the X to form a proper cover therefor, the flange 50 fitting over the outer wall in the same manner as when the box is ex anded. d can be conveniently placed upon the running board 51, of a motor car, and is preferably of such proportion that the horizontal portions ofthe angle brackets in length substantially equal the width of the running board, the connection being made secure by securing bolts 52 extending through said horizontal arms and the running board, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the box or rack is not in use, the cover, folded or colla sed as' described. stands in channel 7, be ind the back wall 11. of the box or rack, and the foldable body portion is folded to dispose its members or parts in substantially vertical position against said back wall, and under this flange 12, as shown in Fig, 4, any suitable means, such as a turn button (not shown) being emplo ed to secure the parts in such sition, an when the box or rack is [thus olded or secured, it projects so slightly from the side of the car as to be hardly noticeable.

with the exception of the horizontal arms of the angle brackets, and when so folded or collapsed it is obvious that it offers no obstruction to free entrance to and exit from the car. t

From the above descri tion, it will be aparent that I have produced a collapsible ox or rack, embodying the features enumerated as desirable in the statement of the obect of the invention, and while I have illustrated and described the referred construction of the device, it wi 1 be apparent that it is susceptible of modification in minor particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible box, comprising a bottom, back and front walls, right angle-shaped brackets comprisin vertical arms rigid with and at the ends 0 the back wall, and forwardly pro 'e'cting arms substantially parallel with an spaced from the ends of the bottom, ribs ri 'd with the said brackets, end walls hinge at their front ends to the ends of the said front wall and provided with notches in their free edges; said end walls being adapted to be fitted at their lower edges between the ends of the bottom and the adjacent arms of said brackets, and at their ends against the outer sides of the vertical arms of said brackets, pivoted fastening devices mounted upon the outer sides of the end walls and adapted to engage and overlap the said ribs to prevent the end walls from swinging outward or opening, and means to fasten the end walls to the brackets to restrain the former against dislocation by edgewise movement.

2. A collapsible box, comprising a bottom, back and front walls, right angle-shaped brackets comprisin vertical arms rigid with and at the ends 0 the back wall, and forwardly projecting arms substantially parallel with and spaced from the ends of the bot tom, ribs rigid with the said brackets, end

walls hinged at their front ends to the end&'

of the said front wall and provided With notches in their free edges; said end walls being adapted to be fitted at their lower edges between the ends of the bottom and the adjacent arms of said brackets, and at their ends a ainst the outer sides of the vertical arms 0 said brackets, pivoted fastening devices mounted upon the outer sides of the end walls and adapted to engage and overlap the said ribs to prevent the end walls from swinging outward or openi means to fasten the end walls to the brac ets to restrain the former against dislocation by edgewise movement, a pair of inwardly opening channel uides rigid with the vertical arms of said brackets and dis osed in a plane parallel with but rearward o the said back wall, the channels being closed at their upper ends, and a cover fitting slidingly at its ends in the channel guides and capable of movement upward and downward between the closed upper ends of the channels, the cover being provided at its upper edge with a flange to overlie and rest upon the upper edge of the back wall or to fit down against the outer face of the front wall; said cover also being provided at its" lower edge with a hinge pin projecting into the channel guides and adapted to limit upward movement of the cover by abutment against the closed ends of the guides.

3. A collapsible box, comprising a bottom, back and front walls, right angle-shaped brackets comprising vertical arms rigid with and at the ends of the back wall, and forwardly projecting arms substantially parallel with and spaced from the ends of the bottom, ribs rigid with the said brackets, end Walls hinged at their front ends to the ends of the said front wall and provided with notches in their free edges; said end walls being adapted to be fitted at their lower edges between the ends of the bottom and the adjacent arms of said brackets, and at their ends a inst the outer sides of the vertical arms 0 said brackgi] 3, pivoted fastening devices mounted upon the outer sides of the end walls and adapted'to engage and over lap the said ribs to prevent the end walls from swin 'ng outward or opening; said end walls aving perforations in their upper free corners and ins projecting outwa rdly at the upper endi; of the vertical arms of said brackets and engaging the perforations in said walls to revent edgewise move ment of said end w ls.

4. The combination with a suitable support, of a pair of vertical brackets, vertical channel guides secured to the said brackets and disposed with their channels facing each other and rearward of said brackets; the ends of the channels of said channel guides being closed, a back wall securedto and between the said brackets, and provided at its upper and lower edges with forwardly projecting flan s, a bottom pivoted at its rear edge to an between said brackets at the lower ends thereof, and provided with upturned flanges at its ends, a front wall pivoted at its lower ed e between the front edge of the flanges of said bottom and adapted to fold u on the bottom between the flanges thereo end walls hinged at their front ends to the opposite ends of the front wall and adapted to fold inwardly against the inner side thereof so as to lie between the same and the bottom when the former is folded upon the latter, said bottom bein adapted with the front wall and the en walls folded thereon, to fold upwardly between the top and bottom flanges of the back walls and the said brackets, and a cover fitting slidingly in the channels of said channel guides and provided with a flange to overlie and rest upon the upper flange of the back wall; said cover having a hinge pin projecting from its ends and adapted for contact with the closed upr per ends of said channel guides to prevent dislocation of the cover.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ABNER V. TREGO. 

